§ MR. MACVEAGH (Down, S.)To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the amount and explain the reason of the special grant from the Treasury recently placed at the disposal of the Board of Customs for distribution amongst the Customs officials; and whether the Board of Customs was given full discretion as to its apportionment.
(Answer.) The Treasury, in recognition of the extended hours attended and special services performed in connection with the coal and sugar duties of last year by certain of the Customs officers at headquarters not ordinarily entitled to overtime pay, sanctioned payment, out of savings on the Customs 1096 Vote, of specific gratuities amounting in all to £1,185 to the officers in question. The Board of Customs were given no discretion as regards the allotment of the money.—(Treasury.)